Collapsible carrier



March 13, 1951 G. K. BLANK COLLAPSIBLE CARRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 15, 1946 1 E firra 2/4 6 Ks.

March 13, 1951 BLANK 2,544,977

COLLAPSIBLE CARRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 15, 1946 fish EN r02 650265 K. Bum/q Patented Mar. 13, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COLLAPS-IBLE CARRIER George K. Blank, De Soto, Mo.

Application August 1 5, 1946, Serial No. 690,763 11 Claims. ((31. 5:42)"

I The present invention relates generally to stretcher-s,- and more particularly to a collapsible stretcher which may be reduced to a fraction of its in-use size for storage, carry and the like. An object ofthe present invention is to provide a novel collapsible stretcher which is adaptedto be reduced to substantially one-quarter of its in-use size in order tofacilitate transportation thereof in an ambulance to reduce the space re quired' for storage, and the like. 7

Another object is toprovide a novel collapsible stretcher which may be readily collapsed and quickly enlarged to in use' size.

Another object is to provide anovel collapsible stretcher which" incorporates telescoping and hinged members whereby the stretcher may here-- duced to three-quarters and one half its width through telescoping action and reduced to a quarter of its original width by hinging action so that it may be employed to carry an individualwhen extended to full size or whenreduced to threequarters, one-half or one-quarter size, or to sizesin between full and one-quarter size, which renders the present device extremely useful for carrying persons through narrow passages, and the like.

Other objects are to provide a novel collapsible stretcher which is sturdy in construction so that it is capable of standing rugged use for a long period of time without breakdown, whichis'relatively economical to produce; which is readily fabricated, and which may be used by individuals to obtain maximum benefit from its manifold novel features after a minimum amount of in-'' struction.

The foregoing and" other objects and advan tages are apparent fronrthe following description taken with the accomp'anying'drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of' a collapsible stretcher constructed in accordancewith the teachings of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view on the line 2-'-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlargedhorizontal crosssectional view through one corner casting together with-'- its enclosed elements and: through one telescoping reference numerals, [0 indicates generally a collapsible stretcher embodying the concepts of the present invention. Broadly, the stretcher In in cludes two side rollers 12, four corner castings M which rotatably support the side rollers l2-,- four, telescoping assemblies [6; each being connected to a corner casting 14-, two hinge assemblies H3 each of which joins two telescoping assemblies l6, acanvaszfl supported by the side rollers l2 and-the telescoping assemblies l6, and four roll- ,er-latchi-ngmechanisms 22 one being disposedin each corner casting 14,

Each side roller I2 has bearing support in a corner casting M at each end thereof,- details of which are'clearly shown in Fig. 3. Each end of the rollers l2 includes steppedredu-cedportions 24, Hand 28, the last-named being threaded at its extremity. Each corner casting ll includes a main longitudinally extending cylindrical chamber 3!} which receives-ball bearing assemblies 32 and 3d which are snugly fitted" against annular shoulders 36. The reduced portion 26 0f the roller l2 snugly receives the-inner race of eachof the ball bearing assemblies 32 and 3-41 A cap member 38 abuts the outer side of the outer raceof the ball bearing assembly 32' and surrounds the reduced portion 24of theroller l2, being held in such relationship by screws 40 extending through suitable openings in the corner casting Hi and. threaded apertures in the cap 38f. A- spac= er member k2 surrounds the reduced portion 28 between the roller bearing assemblies- 32: and 34. A cap 43 closes the other end of the chamber 30 which. may be'remove'd' for" access thereto Onthe reduced portion 28- at each end-of each roller I2 is the rollerlatching assemblyi22 (Figs.- 3 and e which includes a sprocket 44* secured to the reduced portion 28" by a spline-or key 46;- A nut 48 threadedly engag es the" threaded por"-= tion of the reduced portion Z8 1tosecure the sprocket 44 against longitudinal movement. An internally threaded cylindrical boss 56 is formed in the corner casting I4 with the axis thereof radially disposed in respect to the sprocket M. An externally threaded tubular insert member 52 is threaded into the boss 56 and includes an inwardly extending annular integral flange 54 at the inner end. A plunger 56 having an annular flange 58 is disposed in the insert member 52 with the flange 58 abutting the flange 54. A compression spring 60 is disposed about the plunger 56 outwardly of the flange 58, being retained in the insert member 52 by a ring 62 which may be welded or otherwise secured to the insert 52 after the spring 66 and plunger 55 are disposed therein. A knurled head 64 is secured to the outer end plunger 56 is bevelled to snugly engage a tooth of the sprocket 44, as is shown in Fig.4, which is the rest position thereof due to the bias of the compression spring 50.

Each telescoping assembly I6 includes a doubler or base tube 66 which snugly fits a cylindrical opening 68 formed in the corner casting Id at right angles to the chamber 30. A tube 'IIl having an insert ring I2 secured in one end is disposed in and supported by the base tube 66, being secured thereto by welding I4, or the like. The tube 16 telescopically receives therein a tube I6, one end of which has an insert ring I8. A rod 86 is disposed within the tube I6, having one end secured to the insert I2 and having the other end formed as an enlargement 82 which is disposed within the tube '56 and which is of a diameter to be engaged as a stop by the insert ring I8 when the telescoping assembly I6 is in the extended position shown in Fig. 3. Within the tube 16 is a compression spring 84, one end of which abuts the enlargement 82, the other end of which abuts an element of the hinge assembly I8, as is pointed out below.

Each center hinge assembly I8 includes a female hinge element 86 and a male hinge element 88 which are connected by a suitable bolt assembly 9|] extending through aligned apertures in the elements 86 and 88; The male hinge element 88 includes a rectangular base portion 92 which is butt welded or otherwise secured to the end of one tube I6 and which includes a the male hinge element 88 except for the inclusion of two parallel wing portions 99 extending at right angles from one surface of the rectangular base portion 92 instead of a single wing portion 98. An aperture IM extends through each of the wing portions 99 in aligned relation and is adapted to receive the bolt assembly 96 along with the aperture I512. The female hinge element 86 is butt welded or otherwise secured to the end of the tube I6 of the telescoping assembly I6 which is disposed in opposed relation to the telescoping assembly I6 to which the male hinge element 88 is secured.

The relationship of the hinge elements 86 and 88 when the stretcher 20 is in open position is shown in Fig. '7. It is to be observed that the stop members 96 are in abutting relation. The stop members 96 are adjustable axially so that the opposed telescoping assemblies I6 will be disposed in the same plane when the stretcher is in open position. As is indicated by the dotted arrow lines A, the hinge elements 66 and 88 fold downwardly about the bolt assembly as a pivot.

As is clear from Figs. 1 and 2, the canvas 29 is secured to the telescoping assemblies I6 by extensions I06 which loop around the inner end of the tube I6, and around the tube '16, being secured by stitching I68. Since the bolt assemblies 66 are readily removed for separation of the opposed telescoping assemblies I6, it is apparent 7 that an old canvas 20 may be readily removed from and a new one disposed on the telescoping assemblies I6. The canvas 26 is supported from the side rollers I2 by a plurality of straps III] which are sewed thereto against the underside by stitching II2. Each strap IIIl includes free extremities I I I which pass through opposed slits H6 in the roller I2 (Fig. 2) and are returned underneath the roller I 2, the end being engaged by a pair of snaps H8 which may be of any well-known type and which are shown as including a stud I26 carried by a pair of opposed washers I22 clamping the main portion of the strap III) therebetweenand a washer I24 secured to the end I I4 of the strap I III adapted to snugly engage the stud I26. The canvas 26 has a recess I26 in its extensions I06 at each hinge assembly I8 to facilitate folding, and a recess I28 at each corner to facilitate rolling on side rollers I2.

For carrying purposes, each of the corner castings I4 is provided with a hand grip I30 which is U-shaped in form.

In Fig. 1 the present collapsible stretcher I0 is shown in fully extended position, which is the standard position for carrying an adult person of average build. Should it be desired or neces sary to reduce the width of the stretcher I0, a reduction of as much as one-quarter may be attained by telescoping the two telescoping assemblies I6 at one side of the center hinge assemblies I 8. In this telescoping action, the canvas 26 is rolled on the particular side roller I2 by rotation of the roller I I2 by hand at either end thereof. The latching mechanisms 22, which resist unrolling of the canvas 20, will rotate freely in this rolling of the canvas 20, the plunger 56 riding up the inclined slope of the teeth of the sprocket 44 in this counterclockwise movement of the sprocket 44 (Fig. 4). The stretcher III may be reduced to substantially one-half of its width by similarly telescoping the other two telescoping assembies I6 and rolling the canvas 20 on the roller I2. It is clear from the drawings that the engagement of the ring IS with the enlargement 82 limits separation movement of the tubes I6 and I6, and that abutment of the ring I8 against the ring I2 limits telescoping movement of the tubes III and I6.

In order to reduce the stretcher III to its minimum width for transportation and storage and for use as a narrow stretcher in places where the passageway is restricted, the telescoping assemblies I6 and the roller I2 are actuated as above described, and thereafterwards the two halves of the stretcher II] are pivoted around the center hinge assemblies I8 which disposes the rollers I2 with their rolled canvas in contiguous relation, thereby reducing the stretcher to a width of substantially one=quarter of the tetai expanded width; To place the stretcher in carry for-m and:- to'pl'ovide maximum widtlnthe foregoing-pretze assemblies [3 when the stretcher i is folded; The

recess 28 at each cornerof the canvas makes it possible to roll. the canvas 20 on. the sellers l 2 as the telescope assemblies I6 are actuated.

The roller-latching mechanisms 22 are positive in action to prevent fortuitous unrolling of the canvas 20 and spreading action of the telescoping assemblies 5. The compression springs i 84 strongly bias the telescoping assemblies IE to extended positions, and may be strong enough toextend the telescoping assemblies l6 and unroll the canvas 20 from side rollers [2 upon release of latching mechanisms 22 It is apparent from the foregoing description taken with the accompanying drawings that there has been provided a novel collapsible stretcher which fulfills all the objects and advantages sought therefor. v

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings have been given by way of illustration and example.

It is also to be understood that changes in form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, and substitution of equivalent elements, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the kind described, in combination, a frame, flexible supporting means connected to and supported by said frame, said frame including telescoping members adapted to be telescoped to reduce the frame width and to be extended to increase the frame width, each telescopic member being collapsible to substantially one-half length, and means for pivoting said frame about a longitudinal center line to place in contiguous relation the two halves thereof.

2. A collapsible carrier comprising a frame including four corner members, side members rotatably mounted in said corner members, a telescopic end assembly anchored in each corner member, said two assemblies at each end being pivotally connected providing a longitudinal center line folding axis for the frame, each telescopic end assembly being collapsible to substantially one-half length, and a flexible support connected to said side members and end assemblies adapted to fold with said frame and to be rolled on the side members.

3. In a device of the kind described, a frame including rotatable side members and telescoping end assemblies, a flexible support connected to and carried by said members and assemblies, said flexible support being adapted to be rolled about said rotatable side members as said end assemblies are telescoped, and releasable locking means at each end of said rotatable member resisting rotation of said member in one direction and permit ting rotation in the other.

4. In a device of the kind described, a frame including side members and telescoping end assemblies lying in substantially the saline plane, a flexible support connected to and supported by said frame, said end assemblies including teleamew end assembly being collapsible to substaiitially one l'ia lf-lng tli; irlaris'biasing said end assemblies towards extended positionand a flexible support connected to said side" members and end assemblies; adapted to told. with said frame and to be'rolled on the side members 6. A collapsible stretcher comprising, in combination, a frame including end members and side members rotatably secured to said end members, and a flexible support member connected to and supported by said side members, said end members being composite and being reducible and extensible'between maximum and minimum overall lengths thereby providing means for changing the effective width of said frame.

7. A collapsible stretchercomprising, in combination, a frame including end members and side members rotatably secured to said end members, a flexible support member connected to and Supported by said side members, said end members being composite and being reducible and extensible between maximum and minimum overall lengths thereby providing means for changing the effective width of the frame, said support member being connected to said side members for rolling thereon or therefrom as the effective width of said frame is changed, and releasable means for securing the frame and support member at the selected width.

8. A collapsible carrier comprising a frame including four corner members, side members rotatably mounted in said corner members, a telescopic end assembly anchored in each corner member, said two assemblies at each end being pivotally connected providing a longitudinal cen- Y ter line folding axis for the frame, and a flexible support connected to said side members and end assemblies adapted to fold with said frame and to be rolled on the side members.

9. A collapsible carrier comprising a frame including four corner members, side members rotatably mounted in said corner members, a telescopic end assembly anchored in each corner member, said two assemblies at each end being pivotally connected providing a longitudinal center line folding axis for the frame, a flexible support connected to said side members and end assemblies adapted to fold with said frame and to be rolled on the side members, and means to maintain the end assemblies in a selected position against further extension.

10. A collapsible carrier comprising a frame including four corner members, side members rotatably mounted in said corner members, a telescopic end assembly anchored in each corner member, said two assemblies at each end being pivotally connected providing a longitudinal center line folding axis for the frame, means biasing said end assemblies towards extended position,

* and a flexible support connected to said side mem ben saidtwo assemilies ateach end beingpivotally connected providing a longitudinal centerline folding axis for the frame, each telescopic end assembly being collapsible to substantially one-half length, a flexible support connected to said side members and end assemblies adapted to fold with said frame and to be rolled on the side members; and means to maintain the end assemblies in a selected position against further extension.

GEORGE K. BLANK.

REFERENCES CITED file of this patent:

v UNITED. STATES PATENTS Name Date Sauerbier July 9, 1895 'Luria Dec. 3, 1901 Ballard Aug. 13, 1912 Pascale Dec. 9, 1913 Shirek Apr. 12, 1921 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain A. D. 1874 France May 27, 1935 

